Finding freelancers: content

It takes 50 milliseconds for a user to make a judgement about your website. So creating content that is fresh, exciting, and relevant is crucial to engaging your audience and keeping them coming back for more. The people who tell your story have an important job to do. And sometimes you’ll need to outsource that work.

 

As we discussed in a previous article, there are pros and cons to hiring a freelancer. But being able to buy expertise that you don’t have within your existing team, especially when it comes to bringing in creativity and a fresh pair of eyes, is money well spent. Equally, a freelancer can take the pressure off your existing team if they don’t have capacity to take on new content creation.

 

 

What is content?

 

Content takes many shapes and forms on many different platforms. Here are the main types you might need help with and some examples of the type of content that might be.

 

 

Written content

 

Examples of written content include:

• Case study about a successfully completed outreach project
• Blog about campaigning and awareness building
• Web copy to explain the support you can offer service users

Who you need to look for: writer, copywriter, content creator, etc.

 

 

Video content

 

Examples of video content include:

• Documentary showing your charity’s impact
• Educational video to support your charity’s beneficiaries
• Animation showing how a supporter’s donation will help your end users

Who you need to look for: videographer, filmmaker, animator, documentary maker, etc.

 

 

Image content

 

Examples of image content include:

• Series of photos to be used as Instagram posts
• Infographic showing how fundraisers’ money has been used over the year
• Cartoon signposting beneficiaries to more help
• Team photos for an ‘about us’ page

Who you need to look for: photographer, designer, illustrator, etc.

 

 

Audio content

 

Examples of audio content include:

• Podcast to support the launch of a new campaign
• Interviews with volunteers about what they love about your charity

Who you need to look for: sound editor, audio producer, etc.

 

 

How to start looking for content creators

 

When thinking about what specific content you need support with, make sure it fits into your overarching content strategy. If you don’t already have one, take a look at our tips on building an effective digital content strategy.

 

Then take time to reflect on what you need and write a tight brief. Not only will this be the basis for finding the right freelancer, it will help further down the line when they start working on the project.

 

Think about what you need (five pages of content? 1,000-word blog? Six photo case studies? – be specific), when you’ll need it by (always factor in some wiggle-room in case timelines slip), and how much you’re able to pay.

 

 

How to find the right person for the role

 

 

Ask around

 

Colleagues, networking groups, LinkedIn posts, friends, and neighbours. You never know who can put you in touch with a great freelancer.

 

 

Use an online directory

 

Blume and Work for Impact both specialise in matching freelancers with charities. YunoJuno specialises in creatives of all types. These platforms charge for each booking and some provide feedback from freelancers’ previous clients through the site – have a read around.

 

To avoid paying fees, go direct to freelancers. CharityComms has a freelance directory that includes content creators of all disciplines.

 

 

Go through a recruiter

 

Although a pricier option, a recruiter will take the leg-work out of the recruitment process. Try Charity People for a recruiter that focuses on not-for-profits. Or try creative-specific agencies, such as Major Players or Aquent.

 

 

Find a volunteer

 

Do-it, Reach Volunteering, or Volunteering Matters will put you in touch with volunteers with the skills that match your requirements. And be aware, that they may need to put any paid work that comes up before your project.